UB: Soft sentiments spiral towards Biya as excellence award begins
The yearly gesture of the presidential excellence award is generating trust towards 92 year old President Paul Biya, a couple of students of the University of Buea (UB) said. They mentioned after collecting 50,000 fcfa January 21 at the commencement of payment at UB.
Over 5000 students are expected to collect the award from the various distribution points till February 21. The queue did not deter enlisted students present to pick positions inorder to collect. Some say they had given up expecting the yearly award since it had delayed unlike in previous years. To many recipients, they explained that it had come at the right time; when the financial heat of January was being felt and examinations scheduled to begin in a week.
“The money will assist me to pay the second installment of my fees, especially as the deadline is near,” Alvin said. Eunice, another student indicated “new bag and shoe collection will be afforded to wear this new year.”
On the other hand, students who could not make the list due to their ages expressed frustration. They wondered why the criteria was harder with years. Meritorious students who are salary earners will also not be benefiting, while payment will not be done to any representative, an earlier communiqué had announced.
“There are a good number of students who will be refused collection for irregularity, yet their names are on the list, where will the money go to?” A disgruntled student wondered aloud.
Beneficiary students expressed friendly sentiments towards the 42 year long leadership of President Biya. They declared no problem if he takes another mandate come October to consolidate the annual gesture. The presidential excellence award is a refund of 50,000 fcfa fee payment to meritorious higher education students in state universities of Cameroon.
By: Nchendzengang Tata